The Three Christs of Ypsilanti - Milton Rokeach [130]
February 21. Dr. Yoder writes Joseph that he is willing to reconsider the issue of a transfer if Joseph explains more fully his reasons for the request and particularly his attitudes toward Leon and Clyde. Joseph replies:
I am glad that you will reopen my case. As for the separation from Clyde Benson and Leon Gabor, I will say that in C-63, I will be safe, from not only D-ward, but also from the bad psychology that I received, or have been the recipient from, both of them. Thus, I admit the bad feeling and the sickness, although your medicine that you have prescribed to me is doing a tremendous amount of goodness to me; and I certainly would hate to separate from my medicine.
As for John Michael Ernahue, I am he, I am also God. You see, Dr. Yoder, there is such an entity as reproduction in life. You die and you are reproduced, and sometimes you have another name. As for the claims of Gabor and Benson for Jesus Christ and God, I must say that Benson is kind of mild anent it; he claims still that he’s God and Jesus Christ, but Gabor is rather quiet about it. As for me, I am very quiet, thus, I do not invite myself for a contrariness that I am God and Jesus Christ. But Gabor, not long ago, said he was Christ. I said I was what I was.
February 24. A letter from Dr. Yoder denies the transfer on the ground that Joseph is better off where he now is. Joseph seems quite unconcerned. In fact, his anxiety about a transfer seems to have suddenly waned. He shifts, instead, to another demand.
February 26
My dear dad:
The medicine is doing a tremendous amount of good to me. My stomach and abdomen are better. I digest better; I eat better; and my constipation is not bothering me any more. My peace of mind is better. Thank you for your ordering that the medicine be continued for me.
Yours very truly,
Joseph Cassel
P. S. . . . What I should ask you for is a job. Why don’t you give me a hand, Dr. Yoder? I can write. If I ever get outside, if I ever get free, I’ll write and one day I’ll become great in the art of literature. This is it! In literature. I’ll write books! I’ll work even for a publishing house, selling books. I’ll work for a magazine. I’ll work for a newspaper. I’ll work for the purpose of becoming great in literature. I’ll make the grade, all right, but I must be given a hand. So please, Dr. Yoder, do something about giving me a job?
Joseph says he’s been reading Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When I ask him the details of the story, he says it is symbolic of the bad side of man’s nature. Man is good and man is bad. People like this do exist. Prisons will prove it—double personality.
“Do you think Mr. Hyde was crazy?” I ask.
“I think Mr. Hyde had enough memory of Dr. Jekyll to be not insane. I think he was a criminal. He should have stayed with his first person.”
March 1
My dear Joseph:
You write that you wish a job becoming great in literature. Well, I have always admired your literary taste and I would like very much to encourage you. May I make the following suggestions:
1. Would you be willing to write a short story? Perhaps it might be good enough to send to a magazine.
2. Or, an article about a topic of your choosing, for a good literary magazine.
3. Or, a novel.
4. Or, an autobiography. “The story of my life” by Joseph Cassel.
5. Or, an article about psychology.
Would you be willing to take one of the above jobs? … I hereby give you freedom to write. Let me know what you need; paper? pencils? pen? typewriter? anything. Let me know what you need to have the freedom to write.
In the meantime, be assured that I will always love you just exactly like a father who deeply loves his own son.
Sincerely yours,
O. R. Yoder, M.D.
March 2. Joseph, in his reply to Dr. Yoder’s letter, throws up all sorts of obstacles: